What do you do when you get to college and find out you're not like everyone else?

Here's some background information: I am about to start my sophomore year of college and I have never been in a relationship. Never. Not a summer fling, no elementary playground-kisses, nothing.

I had previously accepted the fact that I was not meant to be in a relationship with any of my 90 classmates in high school (I know, such a wonderful array of fish in that sea). But, when I got to college, things changed. Not only was I surrounded by lots of new people, but it seemed as though 75 percent of these people were already in relationships or sleeping together.

I hadn't known these folks more than 9 months! Where did these people find the trust and dedication it takes to hold a relationship together?

Then, it dawned on me that everyone wasn't in the same shoes that I had been walking in for 18 years. It seems as though most college students have forgotten how precious they are.

Humans are more than walking bodies, putting on sweats, reciting memorized test materials and drinking alcohol like it doesn't have any affect on their mental state.

We are smart, unique, different and so incredibly strong. My fellow students were just throwing away their quality time with others and giving themselves up to anybody that seemed kind of "cute."

When someone would ask me if I was dating someone, my usual reply was "no." But, sometimes I threw in the "I've never been in a relationship." Of course, the responses to this ranged from "OMG let me find you a boyfriend!" all the way to "Wow, I'm sorry."

I assumed people would react, I didn't really care what they thought of me though. I let that go my sophomore year of high school. The only problem I had? The amount of people who suggested I just throw away my first relationship so I could get it out of the way. People reminded me that their first loves were either the worst or craziest idea ever, so I shouldn't put too much thought into mine, either.

This bothered me. Right now, I would say I'm ready for a relationship. Not just any relationship, though. I am ready to meet my significant other, the one who cherishes my smile, laughs at my corny jokes, and lets me have emotional breakdowns when I need them.

I say all of these things, and I know that there's only a few others out there like me. No, my first relationship may not be the one that lasts forever, but if you're dating without the idea of marriage in mind, you shouldn't be dating.

The "rebound" relationships and the idea that you're only dating until one of the two moves off to school are a waste of time, money, energy, and precious life. If you know that boy only wants to sleep with you because you were prom queen, neither of you needs to be put in a dangerous situation of regret.

I know there are more things to life than relationships. I know there are more things to life than sitting around and waiting for the right person to cross my path. This isn't what I'm saying. I'm telling you that if, for some crazy reason, you find yourself in shoes similar to mine: don't settle, don't throw away your first love, and don't forget that there are 7.4 billion people in this world. One of them is bound to be your soulmate.